Local authority probes reported leak of mayor's transfer request from council house 'surrounded by Travellers'

Darragh Mc Donagh

Galway City Council is investigating an alleged leak of personal information following reports that its mayor sought a housing transfer after complaining that he was surrounded by Travellers in his existing home.

Mike Cubbard had asked the local authority for a transfer to alternative social housing as long ago as 2012, and even stopped paying rent to the council, citing “estate management” issues.

He wrote to a government TD in November 2013, asking for the housing minister to intervene after his transfer request was refused, complaining that “we are in amongst all Traveller families” and “want out ASAP”.

Mr Cubbard reported to the TD that he had informed local authority officials that they “would not be getting full rent” until certain issues were resolved. He stated that “once transferred,” he would set up a payment plan in respect of the arrears.

It was reported in August that around €8,000 was owed in respect of the property in Ballybane by November 2013, and – after his income was reassessed – the council demanded payment of €11,000 before a transfer would be considered.

Mr Cubbard, who was elected mayor last June, has now lodged a data protection complaint with the local authority under GDPR, alleging that the information on his tenancy “could only have come from a file in the city council’s housing department”.

He told the Galway Advertiser earlier this month that the figures put into the public domain regarding arrears were “not my figures” and had not been known to him, and could therefore only have come from the council.

It is understood that Galway City Council has now launched an internal inquiry into the alleged leaking of personal information relating to the mayor following the complaint.

Asked about the probe, a spokesperson for the local authority said it follows the required statutory procedures set out in GDPR when dealing with any alleged data breach.

When it was put to him that the figures concerning arrears had featured in his own email to the government TD in November 2013, Mr Cubbard did not comment.

The mayor finally secured a move last summer to a property owned by an approved housing body in an upmarket estate, Garraí na Sailí, where houses have sold for up to €650,000, and his neighbours include an Ireland international rugby star.

Mr Cubbard said his family had “followed all required protocols and procedures” in seeking a new home, and said lobbying of city council officials “did not arise”.

He admitted that rent had been withheld in respect of his previous council property due to “serious concerns around estate management and maintenance issues”. He said all arrears had since been paid.

Asked why the proximity of Traveller families was relevant to his desire for a housing transfer from Ballybane in 2013, he said he had respect for “the overwhelming majority of residents in this estate, which includes members of the Traveller community”.

“My record of working with the Traveller community and supporting inclusive communities, both as a citizen of Galway and now as the city’s first citizen, underscores my commitment to promoting positive integration and cross-community relationships,” he said.